Saturday, March 28, 2009

The area around Corinth has many sites of great natural beauty. With the three zoologists on the current course, we visit Lake Stymphalia, in the hills of Korinthia. Although there's still snow on the hilltops, the day is bright and sunny.

We walk along the shore of the lake observing the birds, insects and other wildlife.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

25th March is one of the biggest public holidays in Greece - the other being 28th October. The celebration of the anniversary of independence in 1821 combines with one of the holiest days for Greek Orthodox Christians, the Annunciation.

Given the highly intensive nature of the course, we don't take whole days off for public holidays, but we do cancel teaching practice so we only work for half the day.

In the morning we watch students from the local schools parading through the streets of Vrahati, followed by a display of traditional Greek dances in the village square..

Amongst the participants are dear friend and colleague Ted Worth (L), and Michael Hoey ( R), Professor of English Language at Liverpool University and award-winning author of Patterns of Lexis in Text.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Amongst the participants are dear friend and colleague Ted Worth (L), and Michael Hoey ( R), Professor of English Language at Liverpool University and award-winning author of Patterns of Lexis in Text.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Saturday, March 7, 2009

From the Byzantine fortress of Acrocorinth, the view North-West (L) along the coast to Vrahati and beyond. To the North (R), the flat coastal area where the ancient harbour was. Across the Gulf of Corinth, the headland beyond Lake Vouliagmenis, with the mountains of mainland Greece towards Delphi rising behind.

The view to the North-East (L) shows the modern city of Corinth, with a ship docked in the port. On the right is the entrance to the Corinth Canal, and on the opposite side of the Gulf of Corinth is the city of Loutraki, with the Gerania mountain towering above.

Looking further East (R), the Gulf of Corinth is connected by the Corinth Canal to the Saronic Gulf.

The view inland to the South.

Walking down the hill from Acrocorinth to the site of Ancient Corinth.

The fortress of Acrocorinth looming over the site of Ancient Corinth (L), and a view of the Temple of Apollo with the Gulf of Corinth in the background.